(Author's Note: This story takes place during Season 1. Haven't figured out EXACTLY when in Season 1 this story occurs, but I'll figure it out as it goes on! Also, the title and chapter titles are lines from "Macbeth." And, I've written 10 chapters so far, so, the faster you guys review, the faster I upload the rest of the chapters. Enjoy!)
Something Wicked this Way Comes: A Once Upon A Time Fan-Fic
Chapter 1: "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble"
Rowan sat in the passenger seat of her sister's car as they spotted a sign that read: "Welcome to Storybrooke". "I can't believe we're moving to a town with such a ridiculous name," Rowan said to her sister scathingly. Her sister—her twin sister, although they were as different as two twins could get—had somehow convinced her that they should move to Storybrooke, Maine. "I just have a good feeling about it!" Arabella had said cheerfully, unlike Rowan, who was perpetually mad at the world, from her anti-social behavior to the scowl on her face. "Besides, a change would be good!" Yeah, ok, right. Good to HER, Rowan thought. She enjoyed her gypsy-like lifestyle, selling her handmade jewelry and her art whenever she could. But, for some insane reason, her ridiculously optimistic twin had wanted to uproot their lives, and move to a small town in Maine, called "Storybrooke."
Rowan scowled harder, and resumed petting Nox, her black cat, who was the only living thing who loved her unconditionally, bad moods and all. "I think 'Storybrooke' is a cute name," said Arabella. She didn't understand why Rowan had to be such a sourpuss all the time. They were so different, despite being twins. Arabella was always bright and cheerful. Today, she wore a pink scoop-neck top with three-quarter length sleeves, white skinny jeans, and multi-colored glittery flats. She even curled her short blonde bob, so as to look her best for their new neighbors. Rowan, on the other hand, wore her pre-requisite dark outfit. Her sister had decided to wear dark skinny jeans tucked into black, high heeled thigh-high boots, and a black, shruggy, off-the-shoulder sweater. Even her nails were painted black. The only splash of color on her was shimmery green eyeshadow, but her eyes had of course been outlined with lots of black eyeliner, winged out at the corners. Even her cat, Nox, was black. And so weird! thought Arabella. The cat unnerved her, because she had never seen anything like him. Black, with barely perceptible black spots (they both thought he might be part Bengal), and six toes on each foot! He was also a rather large cat, weighing in at at least 17 pounds, and had golden yellow eyes. And he was extremely devoted to Rowan, of which the feeling was mutual. The only time Arabella saw her sister's scowl soften was when she looked at Nox.
She noticed how her sister's silver jewelry caught the sunlight. Lots of silver rings, silver hoop earrings, and a large vintage silver locket with a white rose cameo on the front. The locket held two pictures, two pictures of the things Rowan loved the most: her cat Nox, and their baby sister, Tessa, who had died in a car accident with their parents when she was only 16 years old. Arabella had never seen her sister cry, but that night she did. Not over their parents, though—Rowan had never gotten along well with them. No, she cried over Tessa, who was almost a mini-Rowan. That was one of the reasons Arabella suggested they move to Storybrooke. Arabella thought the change might help Rowan to not dwell on such painful memories. And, because, well, something just told her to.
Rowan was still hating life as they drove through Storybrooke. They were both 25, adults! So, why did Arabella have to drag her along on this "adventure"? Why couldn't she just leave her be? She scowled harder as the residents of Storybrooke eyed them suspiciously, even though Arabella was smiling cheerily at everyone. Rowan hugged Nox to her.
"What do you think, boy?" she asked, lifting him up so he could see out the window. He watched everything pass before him, blinked slowly once, and let out a mediocre "Mrrow" as if to say, "Eh, it's alright." I guess it is alright, Rowan thought.
"What a quaint little town!" Arabella said.
"The woods were nice," Rowan remarked, referring to the stretch of woods they passed, coming into Storybrooke. She loved woods and forests, and, if she had it her way, they would be living in a shack in the woods, instead of an apartment in town. THAT would go over well with Arabella, Rowan thought. She's so prissy. But, she can blow it out her ass. Rowan thought this with a smirk and planted a kiss on Nox's head, who responded with a purr.
Arabella looked over at her sister. "What are you smirking about?"
"Oh, just thinking of ways of causing mayhem and havoc," Rowan said with a wicked gleam in her eye.
Arabella was appalled. "Rowan! We just got here, and we need to make a good impression, and not cause ANY trouble—"
"Relax! I was just kidding…sort of…" Rowan was always amused at how flustered her twin could get. Miss Goody two-shoes.
"Well, at least try to give this town a chance. I have a good feeling about it. Oh, look, here's our apartment!"
"Oh goody," Rowan said sarcastically as they pulled up to their rather small apartment complex. Arabella stopped the car, and giddily got out. Rowan, on the other hand, rolled her eyes, and lazily got out of the car, still holding Nox. She surveyed her surroundings. Ok, it is kind of a nice town, she thought, noting the many small stores and a diner. And it's quiet. Rowan loved the quiet. As she continued to look around, a gust of wind blew, and Rowan got a strange feeling in her stomach. Not a bad feeling, but not necessarily a good one. Would I know a good feeling if I felt one, though? It was one of those feelings you get when you're anticipating seeing a long lost friend. What made it strange, though, was the fact that Rowan didn't know anyone in Storybrooke, nor did she have any long lost friends. I don't have any friends, period…. Despite this thought, something gnawed at the back of Rowan's mind, something that made her think of a friend, a person she loved as much as Nox and Tessa, long, long, ago. But, she couldn't recall a face or a name. With a scowl, she pushed that feeling away, and proceeded to help her twin unpack the car.
Emma and Mary Margaret opened their apartment door in time to see their new neighbors moving into the apartment across the hall from theirs. Emma noticed how the two girls were starkly different. One was cute and petite with a blonde bob, blue eyes, and a fashionably bright outfit, complete with a cheery smile. The other girl, however, towered over her brightly-clad counterpart in thigh-high high heeled , wore a dark outfit, and had almost waist-length black hair, cut in fashionable layers. Where her counterpart had a cheery smile, this one appeared to wear a permanent scowl. Wow, this'll be an interesting living arrangement, Emma thought.
"Oh, new neighbors! Welcome to Storybrooke!" Mary-Margaret said warmly. The blonde turned around and beemed at Mary-Margaret. "Hi there! I'm Arabella, and this is my twin sister, Rowan."
Emma gaped. "You guys are twins?!" She had never seen two twins so different.
The girl named Arabella giggled. " Yeah, that's generally the reaction we get. But, we ARE fraternal twins. Rowan is older by two minutes," she said, nodding towards the other girl, who stood there, looking annoyed, with a big box of books in her arms. Arabella noticed the sour look on her twin's face.
"Sorry, she's kind of anti-social," Arabella told them, apologizing. Emma noticed the other girl glare at the blonde. Yeah, she's anti-something, Emma thought.
"Oh, it's okay, I'm not offended," Mary-Margaret said, smiling warmly at the girl named Rowan, who seemed more interested in the black cat at her feet. Emma noticed the girl named Arabella roll her eyes.
"Oh Rowan, can't you at least pretend to be friendly?"
Rowan's gaze slowly shifted to her twin. "I would be more friendly if you would hurry up and open the apartment door so I can put this goddamn box down."
Emma had to hide a smile. Despite the rude tone, the statement was kind of funny, in a frank sort of way. Mary-Margaret seemed slightly taken aback, while Arabella appeared slightly flustered as she unlocked and opened their apartment door. Rowan brushed past, still not acknowledging Mary-Margaret or Emma, and disappeared inside. The black cat followed, and Emma did a double-take. Did that cat have spots? And extra toes?
Arabella turned and looked at them. "Sorry again for my twin's anti-social behavior. Don't let it put you off. We'd love to have you over for dinner sometime, so we can all get to know each other."
"That sounds great! I'd love to chat more, but we both have to get to work. If you need anything, feel free to knock, anytime," Mary-Margaret told her. After the girl Arabella disappeared inside, Emma and Mary-Margaret headed out. Turning to Mary-Margaret, Emma said, "I don't know about you, but I have a feeling that if that Rowan girl and Madame Mayor ever met, they'd be best friends."
(Author's Note: Intriguing, no?)